Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder that can be triggered by a terrifying event. This can be emotional or physical and can cause flashbacks and extreme anxiety. If you know someone that may be struggling with PTSD and want to help, it’s important to create a safe space and encourage them to seek medical help. Read on to find out how you can help a friend through PTSD.

What Is PTSD?

Symptoms of PTSD can persist for years after the event, and they might not realise there is a link between how they are feeling and the event. These events can also bring shame, which may make it difficult for your friend to talk about it. If you think your friend might have PTSD, but are unsure of the event that triggered it, it’s best to avoid confrontation. Symptoms of PTSD may include the following:

Easily irritated and hostile, due to fear and anxiety

Hypervigilance and mistrusting, even when in safe environments

Displaying self-destructive behaviour

Withdrawing from activities they once enjoyed, and socially isolating themselves

Difficulty sleeping and nightmares

If your friend is displaying any of these behaviours, they may have PTSD.

Encourage Your Friend To Seek Professional Help

There is a stigma around mental disorders, which makes broaching the topic of seeking medical help difficult. Be open with your own experiences of mental health issues, and talk openly and positively about mental illness, in the same way you would about physical illnesses treated by GPs or nurses. By normalising the way you talk about mental healthcare around your friend, they will feel more comfortable in seeking professional help and talking to you about what they’re experiencing.

Offer Emotional And Social Support

People with PTSD tend to isolate themselves, which can worsen their symptoms socially. Check up on your friend with regular phone calls and visits, and encourage them to do activities they enjoy, whether it’s watching your favourite movies together or going for quiet walks. But don’t be forceful if they don’t want to be social. The most important thing for them to know is that there are people that care about them and are there for them.

Help Them Feel Safe

Being a good listener for your friend will go a long way in making them feel safe, which will help them with their recovery. This means listening to them without judgement or offering advice (unless they explicitly ask for it). Do your best to build their confidence by validating their feelings and emphasising their strengths. It can be difficult to support someone with PTSD when they lash out, so the most important thing you can do is to be patient in their recovery. Credits: Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash. Information: https://www.psychguides.com/